The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen

Book and Lyrics by Brian Vinero

Music by Seth Weinstein

Based on the Novel by Lloyd Alexander
  

Synopsis

Time: Tonight and Many Years Ago.
Place: This Theatre and the Kingdom of T'ang.

THE CONTROLLER steps forward and invites the audience to witness a blending of two great art forms: American musical comedy and Chinese opera. As the performance progresses, he and his multi-talented COMPANY of actors will use their considerable performance skills to bring a tale of powerful kings, far-off adventure, and ancient magic to life on a mostly bare stage, using song and dance, shadow puppets, mime, acrobatics, and other techniques.

The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen follows the adventures of PRINCE JEN as he sets off on a quest to find the mythical kingdom of T'ien-kuo, where he hopes to learn the skills that will make him a great king. Accompanied by his loyal servant, MAFOO, and a full complement of warriors acting as bodyguards, he is instructed to carry six ordinary objects with him to present to the king of T'ien-kuo as a show of respect: a saddle, a flute, a sword, a kite, a box of paints, and a bowl. Jen is puzzled by the simplicity of the objects, but he sets off on his journey with high hopes.

A series of misfortunes soon befall him and he finds himself separated from his bodyguards and lost in the wilderness with no money or identification to prove that he is the prince. Still heading for his goal of reaching T'ien-kuo and on the run from a band of dangerous bandits led by the deadly NATHA YELLOW SCARF, Jen presses on through the outlands of China, far from the familiarity and safety of the castle walls that have always shielded him from the harsh lives of the subjects he has never known. He and the ever-present Mafoo are soon joined by MOXA, a mad robber with a talent for protection, and VOYAGING MOON, a flute-playing slave girl on the run from her wicked master, FAT-CHOY. Jen finds himself falling in love with the clever and resourceful Voyaging Moon just as they are all separated in a fierce storm.

Now truly alone, Jen forsakes his quest and searches for his missing friends. He soon finds that the simple gifts he carries turn magical in the hands of others, and as he passes these gifts on, the gift of great leadership comes to him. He reunites with his friends as they defend the kingdom against Natha and his bandits. And at long last Prince Jen becomes the great King Jen, having never set foot in T'ien-kuo - realizing that the journey is far more valuable than the destination.